Game Description:
The Ultimate AscentSM game is played between two Alliances of three teams each. The robots have to shoot discs into their Alliance’s goals, which are at various heights with unique points. There are also two pyramids, one for each Alliance, that the robots can climb to gain points. The Alliances have to try to gain as many points during the two minute match as they can.
This year’s field. (Text used with permission from FIRST.)
Official Game Rules
ULTIMATE ASCENTSM is played by two competing alliances on a flat, 27 x 54 foot field. Each Alliance consists of three robots, and they compete to score as many discs into their goals as they can during a two (2)-minute and fifteen (15)-second match. The higher the goal in which the disc is scored, the more points the Alliance receives. The match begins with a fifteen (15)-second Autonomous Period in which robots operate independently of driver inputs. Discs scored during this period are worth additional points. For the remainder of the match, drivers control robots and try to maximize their alliance score by scoring as many goals as possible.The match ends with robots attempting to climb up pyramids located near the middle of the field. Each robot earns points based on how high it climbs.
For more info on Ultimate AscentSM, click here and for the Ultimate AscentSM Animation, click here.
Our Robot
Designed for fast, accurate shooting and climbing, this year’s robot was created for our game strategy of scoring from behind the pyramid and attaining a 30 point climb.
Æther, the name of our robot, refers to the material that makes up sky in Greek mythology. Æther is the personification and elemental god of “the bright, glowing upper air of heaven – the substance of light” He embodies the pure upper air, and since this year our main focus is climbing, we hope to reach into that “upper air”.
Our robot, Æther, can:
- Traverse the field quickly with Plaction wheels and Tank drive
- Score into the high goal from behind the pyramid with an accurate fixed angle shooter
- Score colored disks at the top of the pyramid
- Climb up the corner of the pyramid with a multiple hook and tilter system
Competitions
2013 FIRST Championship
Where: Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, MO
When: April 24-27
Regional Website: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/championship-event
From April 24th to the 27th, the Championship competition will be held in St. Louis, Missouri. There, teams will compete to see who is the best of the best. Last year, C.O.R.E. went and competed in the Newton field. Sadly, we did not make it to elimination. However, it was a huge honor to be able to go and compete. We hope to be able to go back!
2013 Lake Superior Regional
Where: Duluth Entertainment & Convention Center (DECC), Duluth, MN
When: March 7 – March 9
Regional Website: http://www.mnfirst.org/
From March 7th to the 9th, C.O.R.E. will be going to the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center in Duluth, Minnesota to compete in the Lake Superior Regional. Last year, we made it through to the semi-finals with teams Teens ‘Nto Technology 3840 and Inconceivable 2530. We cannot wait to go back to Duluth!
2013 Wisconsin Regional
Where: US Cellular Arena
When: March 21 – March 23
Regional Website: http://www.wisconsinregional.com/
From March 21st to the 23rd, we will be going back to the US Cellular Arena to compete in the Wisconsin Regional. This will be our seventh year competing there. Last year, we won the Gracious Professionalism award. One of our team members, Annalyssa, became a Dean’s List finalist. This was a huge honor. We were ranked 14th and made it to the semi-finals with our alliance, team 868 TechHOUNDS and team 2039 Rockford Robotics.
